Formulary Watch |

Secukinumab superior to etanercept in plaque psoriasis

Secukinumab (AIN457), an interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor, was more effective in treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis than the anti-tumor necrosis factor etanercept and current standard of care, according to a head-to-head phase 3 study.Data from the presented at the 22nd Congress of the European Association of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) in Istanbul showed that secukinumab was effective in treating psoriasis, with rapid onset and durable responses, and may represent a new treatment alternative for patients.

Anti-fungal eradicates HIV from infected cells

The topical anti-fungal agent ciclopirox causes HIV-infected cells to commit suicide by jamming up the cells’ powerhouse, the mitochondria, according to a recent study.The study, published in PLoS One, found that unlike currently available anti-HIV drugs, ciclopirox eradicates infectious HIV from cell cultures, with no rebound of virus when the drug is stopped.

Rivaroxaban reduced hospitalization by 1 day in pulmonary embolism cases

In the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) in North American patients, rivaroxaban (Xarelto) reduced length of hospital stay by 1 full day compared to conventional dual therapy, according to data presented at the American College of Emergency Physicians scientific assembly, October 14-17, in Seattle.

Heart failure patients hospitalized for other causes less likely to receive guideline-recommended care

Compared to patients with a principal diagnosis of heart failure, heart failure patients hospitalized with a diagnosis other than heart failure had lower rates of guideline-concordant care including assessment of left ventricular (LV) function or prescription for an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) at time of discharge, according to a study published in the October 9 Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Older adults with shingles experience more likely to ask for vaccine

Personal knowledge of or experience with shingles may be a major driver in a consumer's decision about whether to receive the shingles vaccine, according to a Harris Interactive consumer awareness survey sponsored by Merck.

[GRAPHIC] What the FDA is and isn't doing during the government shutdown

List of items the FDA is and isn't doing during the government shutdown.

FDA approves first drug to treat 2 forms of pulmonary hypertension

FDA approved riociguat (Adempas, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals) tablets for the treatment of adults with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) after surgical treatment or inoperable CTEPH and adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

EGFR inhibitor may provide convenient option for wild-type KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer

Data from a phase 3 trial comparing panitumumab (Vectibix) to cetuximab (Erbitux) for the treatment of wild-type KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in patients who have not responded to chemotherapy, provide the oncology community with important information on the use of EGFR inhibitors for patients with mCRC.

Antidepressants may increase diabetes risk

Evidence exists that antidepressants may be an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, however causality has not been established, according to a recent study in Diabetes Care.

Flu vaccinations cuts risk of pneumonia hospitalizations by almost 60%, study finds

Influenza vaccination can reduce the risk of influenza-associated pneumonia hospitalizations by more than half, according to data presented at the IDWeek Meeting recently in San Francisco.

FDA addresses IV nutrition shortage with lipid injectable emulsion approval

Under a priority review to help alleviate a drug shortage, FDA has approved lipid injectable emulsion, USP (Clinolipid, Baxter Healthcare) for intravenous feeding (parenteral nutrition) in adult patients, providing a source of calories and essential fatty acids for adult patients who are unable to eat or drink.

Chronic opioid use increases after bariatric surgery

Chronic use of opioids among obese patients prior to bariatric surgery continues after bariatric surgery, and the dose. has been shown to be greater postoperatively than preoperatively, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Skipping antibiotic after hospital discharge leads to higher medical costs

Patients who skip filling an antibiotic prescription after hospital discharge because of high out-of-pocket costs are at increased risk of rehospitalization and cost the healthcare system substantially more in the long term, according to a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Managed Care.

FDA approves vortioxetine to treat major depressive disorder

FDA approved vortioxetine (Brintellix, Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Lundbeck) to treat adults with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Pertuzumab approved for early stage breast cancer under accelerated review

Under priority review, FDA approved pertuzumab (Perjeta, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group) on September 30 as part of a complete treatment regimen for patients with early stage breast cancer before surgery.

FDA warns of increased death risk with tigecycline use

FDA warned September 27 of an increased risk of death associated with intravenous tigecycline (Tygacil) for FDA-approved and non-approved uses.

Digoxin use linked to higher risk of death for patients with newly diagnosed heart failure

Digoxin, commonly used to treat heart conditions, was associated with a 72% higher rate of death among adults with newly diagnosed heart failure, according to a Kaiser Permanente study in the September issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

Dapagliflozin as part of triple therapy works well for T2DM

In adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who are uncontrolled on metformin and sulfonylurea, dapagliflozin can be added to help improve HbA1c and reduce fasting plasma glucose, body weight, and seated systolic blood pressure, according to results from a study presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Barcelona, Spain, in September.

In DVT, PE, rivaroxaban shows similar efficacy, reduces major bleeding by nearly half compared to standard treatment

A new study may set a new standard for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) with a single oral anticoagulant.

Cognitive enhancers don’t help after 96 weeks in mild cognitive impairment for Alzheimer’s patients

Cognitive enhancers-drugs taken to enhance concentration, memory, alertness, and moods- that are often given to patients with Alzheimer’s disease do not improve cognition or function for those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the long term-about 96 weeks, according to a study published recently in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

FDA approves first anti-IL-12/23 psoriatic arthritis drug

FDA has approved ustekinumab (Stelara, Janssen Biotech) alone or in combination with methotrexate for active psoriatic arthritis in adult patients aged 18 years and older.

Oct. 4 deadline for comments on plan for ADE prevention

Drug-resistant superbugs ‘urgent threat’ to United States

A new report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says millions of Americans are at risk from drug-resistant superbugs that cause gonorrhea, C. difficile, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).

Clear marking on pain patches required by FDA

FDA is requiring color changes to the printing on fentanyl (Duragesic) pain patches so that it is clearly visible, to help avoid risk of accidental exposure. Accidental exposure to these patches that contain a narcotic opioid can cause serious harm and death in children, pets, and others.

Mental ‘fogginess’ with tamoxifen use should be taken seriously

Tamoxifen use among some women with breast cancer has been reported to cause mental “fogginess” while on the medication, and researchers have demonstrated that the side effect is real, according to an online study published Sept. 17 in the Journal of Neuroscience.

Sunscreen recommendation rates low

Physicians discussed sunscreen use with patients at less than 1 percent of visits, according to recent study results.

Varenicline may help some patients with depression quit smoking

About half of smokers seeking treatment for smoking cessation have a history of depression. Compared with smokers who are not depressed, those who suffer from a major depressive disorder (MDD) have greater difficulty quitting, according to a study published September 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

First generic capecitabine approved for colorectal and breast cancers

FDA has approved the oral chemotherapy tablet capecitabine, the first generic version of Teva’s Xeloda, to treat cancer of the colon or rectum that has spread to other parts of the body. It also approved generic capecitabine for treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

CVS Caremark urges controlled prescribing to combat prescription drug abuse

In order to help combat the national prescription drug abuse epidemic, CVS Caremark is tapping its extensive database to identify and halt inappropriate prescribing of high-risk drugs such as opioid painkillers.

Prescriptions 300% higher at some doctors’ offices

Filling a prescription at a doctor’s office may be convenient, but it’s certainly no bargain for patients or taxpayers, according to an analysis of workers’ compensation payouts in Maryland and Pennsylvania.